Highlights of Southern Iceland

This article was written by Motorhome Republic collaborators The Wandering Wheatleys

 

If you are planning a motorhome trip in Iceland, you’ve likely heard about the short Golden Circle tour route, and the longer Ring Road route that runs around the perimeter of the island. But what you may not know is that there are so many amazing highlights in Southern Iceland that are not included in the Golden Circle itinerary. And you can see them all in just a few days!

Check out our list of the highlights of Southern Iceland to help you plan your visit, and be sure to check out our Comprehensive Ring Road Itinerary and Guide to the Golden Circle!

Hot Springs

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a large lagoon filled with piping hot runoff water from the nearby geothermal plant. What started merely as a holding tank for water that was too hot to properly dispose of, has become the most lavish (and expensive) spa in the country. The turquoise, milky-looking water surrounded by black lava rocks is picture-perfect. You’ll need to make a reservation on their website in advance and the price includes a towel, a locker, a mud mask, and your first drink.

Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River

It’s a 3-kilometre uphill hike to reach the soaking area of the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views the entire way. A wooden boardwalk lines the river with several small screens for changing. This river is hot, but not too hot, and it’s amazing to lounge in the middle of this beautiful, remote location. It’s free to park and free to access the thermal river.

The Secret Lagoon

The Secret Lagoon not nearly as picturesque as the Blue Lagoon, but it’s quite a bit less expensive. The large pool has a natural setting and you can find warmer and cooler areas of the large pool depending on your preference. Grab a few of the floatation tubes and spend a few hours relaxing here. No need to book in advance, just show up whenever you would like and pay the entrance fee. You’ll need to pay an additional fee to rent a towel.

Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool

Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool is more of a lukewarm pool than a hot pool, so best to only plan on soaking here if the weather is decent. The protected pool is a ¾ mile one-way hike from the parking lot and is one of the oldest in Iceland. Even if you choose not to soak here, it’s worth hiking out to it to see the beautiful valley views and the incredibly unique pool that was built in 1923.

Waterfalls

Gullfoss Waterfall

Gullfoss Waterfall is one of the three highlights of the Golden Circle and one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland. This massive waterfall is two-tiered and the well-maintained trail allows you to get incredibly close to the powerful water. An incredible amount of water falls a total of 100 feet here as it flows through the Hvitargljufur Canyon. Be sure to check out the viewpoint at the upper parking lot as well!

Bruarfoss Waterfall

Bruarfoss Waterfall is a trek to get to, but most certainly worth it! From the parking area it’s a 3.5-kilometre hike each way, most of which is flat, muddy, and a little confusing (follow the signs). But because this hike is more difficult than most to get to, it also attracts far fewer crowds, so you’ll likely have it all to yourself. The water here is a beautiful turquoise blue which contrasts strikingly against the black rocks which surround it.

Gluggafoss Waterfall

Gluggafoss (also called Merkjarfoss) is another two-tiered waterfall but it is much smaller and attracts far fewer crowds than Gullfoss. A dirt path leads to each tier-level and you can even walk behind the lower falls. You’ll appreciate escaping the crowds of Southern Iceland in this peaceful spot.

Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrafoss Waterfalls

There are several beautiful waterfalls that await you after you park at the parking lot for Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls. It’s definitely worth taking the dirt path that leads behind the falls but be sure to wear a rain jacket because you’ll most certainly get soaked! Follow the trail past a few smaller waterfalls, before finally ending at Gljufrafoss, a waterfall that is hidden behind a narrow passageway. The spray from this one is also intense so prepare to get wet.

Skogafoss Waterfall

Skogafoss Waterfall is another incredibly popular waterfall on the southern end of the island. It is a massive waterfall with a ton of water cascading over the top. The rocky viewing area leads almost all the way to the base of the falls and you’ll be amazed by how close you can get! Take the stairs on the right side to get a view of the falls from above as well. And if you continue on the pathway at the top, you’ll find two smaller but also beautiful waterfalls further upriver.

Kvernufoss Waterfall

Kvernufoss is a waterfall that is right next to Skogafoss, but gets far less tourist traffic. You’ll park at Skogar Museum and the trail to the falls is just to the right. Climb the small stairs over the fence and follow the dirt path about a half-mile to the back of the canyon. You can walk behind this waterfall where you’ll be rewarded with lovely views of the canyon. This was one of our favorite waterfalls on the southern end of the island and not-to-be-missed!

Glaciers

Vatnajokull National Park

Vatnajokull National Park has several well-maintained trails at different difficulty levels and is an ideal stop during your visit to Southern Iceland. The hike to Skafta-Fellsjokull Glacier is a flat half-mile hike each way and you’ll be able to get incredibly close to the massive glacier. You can also hike to Svartifoss Waterfall which is unique due to the black basalt columns that surround the falls. That hike should take approximately 45 minutes each way.

Fjallsarlon Iceberg Boat Tours

Taking a boat trip through the Fjallsarlon Iceberg Lagoon will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your trip to Iceland! Even if you don’t take a boat trip, you must walk down to the lagoon behind Frost Restaurant, it’s absolutely incredible! If you do choose to take the boat ride, which we highly recommend, you’ll board a raft and cruise through the iceberg-filled lagoon to the base of the glacier Vatnajokull. Not only will you get close to this massive glacier, you’ll also learn a lot about it along the way!

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is filled with the most interestingly shaped icebergs that have calved off of the glacier. The colors are a vibrant blue and they get quite close to the shore. Boat trips are also offered around this lagoon but they are quite a bit more expensive and are a common activity on the tour bus circuit.

Diamond Beach

As the huge icebergs make their way through the Glacier Lagoon they eventually reach the channel. Here they sit until they melt enough to make their way to the sea. And once at the sea, they get tossed around a bit and finally end up back on the shore of Diamond Beach. Here you’ll find jet black sand littered with icebergs that are crystal clear. It’s unlike any other beach in the world!

Other Sites in Southern Iceland

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is the capital city of Iceland, and it is also the largest. And while most people visit Iceland for the beautiful landscape, not the big city, there are several worthwhile things to see and do prior to setting off on your Golden Circle tour. Be sure to check out the Hallgrimskirkja Church - it’s an iconic shape and one of the most recognizable structures in the country. The facade is made of concrete slabs, evenly spaced to create a truly unique design. The Harpa Concert Hall is another must-visit, as is the Sun Voyager art installation which is located right on the shore.

DC Plane Wreck

In November of 1973, a Douglas Dakota C-117 airplane carrying 7 crew members was forced to make a crash landing on the beach after consistently losing altitude. Everyone survived the crash and the plane wreckage still sits where it landed. It’s a flat, 2-mile walk to the plane from the parking lot to the DC Plane, or you can pay to take the shuttle that leaves every 45 minutes.

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park is one of the stops along the Golden Circle Tour Route. This is the meeting place of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and the only place in the world where you can see this above sea level. The plates are moving away from each other at a rate of about 2 centimeters per year and the landscape that the volcanic eruptions have created here is spectacular! Don’t miss Oxararfoss Waterfall, one of the highlights of the park.

Thingvellir is a popular place to snorkel or scuba dive as you’ll be swimming in the middle of the two tectonic plates in the clearest water in the entire world. Visibility here is almost 100 metres!

Kerid Crater Lake

Kerid Crater Lake is a large volcanic crater lake where you can hike around the perimeter of the crater, and also down a trail that leads to the lake. The crater is actually red rock, whereas most of the volcanic craters in Iceland are black, and the sides are covered in vegetation. It’s on private land so you’ll have to pay a small entrance fee to hike the crater.

Geysir Geothermal Field

This is another of the stops along the Golden Circle route. It’s a small, easily accessible and very active geothermal area, right off of the road. The main geyser, named “Geysir”, has been dormant for years but once had spouts that reached 550 feet. Strokkur is a still-active geyser, erupting every few minutes. There are also plenty of boiling mud pits along the short path around the area.

While this is just a small slice of Iceland’s attractions, these Southern highlights will give you an excellent taste of what you can discover on this wondrous island - and all the sites above are within easy driving distance of your Iceland motorhome rental pick up depot. Start planning your next Iceland itinerary today.